Location: Vixen Point, Gorda Sound
Today started with some French toast cooked by our chefs Emmy and Mirah after another night in the hammocks. We geared up for our second and final naturalist dive in Mountain Point. The highlight was the two shark sightings as we looked for things such as symbiosis. After the dive, we debriefed and set sail, driving by Mosquito Island to Leverick Bay. I (Rachel), as skipper, got to learn how to drive the boat. Upon arrival, we got our phones back and had some time to catch up with our parents. We then headed out for lunch in the bay and had a successful run to the grocery store, collectively buying 144 eggs in preparation for egg wars, Garret contributing the most with three dozen of them. The dinghies were put to use as we raced each other to the mangroves. Anna’s boat beat Tommy’s both times. We snorkeled in the incredibly shallow water, getting to see some baby barracudas. Everyone got to hold a sea cucumber.
On the way back, we scouted out our enemy’s boat before going to the beach. Emmy, Reagan, Dereck, Paul, and Logan played some beach volleyball while the rest of us enjoyed the water. Joe and Garret took down the previously undefeated Paul and Dereck in a chicken fight while Maya, Tessa, Anya, Noah, and I watched. We went back to the boat for ocean showers in preparation for the barbecue. Before heading out, we had a dance party on the trampoline led by our designated DJ, Noah. We all arrived at the barbecue and found a place to sit all together, looking down on everyone from the other boats. We ate some food and then decided to bring the party to the dance floor. We kept requesting a song, and finally, with only minutes left, it came on, and we all rushed to the dance floor. Noah led the dance for everyone, and we solidified our position as the coolest boat. Once we all got tired, we started a big round of duck, duck goose on the dance floor before heading back to the boat for the night.
Names of shipmates from left to right (first photo)
Rachel, Emmy, Anya, Paul, Garret, Noah, Derek, Regan, Maya, Tessa, Logan, Mirah